Strategic Plan 2025 2029
We continually advocate to ensure that every person living with arthritis in Ireland is supported to live a full and active life, having access to appropriate health services and treatments.
Foreword
We are delighted to present the Arthritis Ireland Strategic Plan for 2025-2029, setting out our five-year plan to achieve our strategic priorities. Much has changed since our last strategic plan was developed. None of us could have predicted the impact of the global pandemic on our day-to-day operations, activities and the provision of our services and supports. Nevertheless, as an organisation, we celebrated many accomplishments during the fiveyear period, including finding new ways of working and delivering our services and supports, enabling us to reach additional people.
In the four decades since the organisation was founded, we have weathered many storms and setbacks. Despite this, we have consistently proven that dedication, determination and collaborative efforts are essential for overcoming these challenges.
Since its inception, Arthritis Ireland has tirelessly supported individuals on their journey with arthritis, striving to enhance their quality of life. We are an ageing population and as we grow older, we are experiencing more complex health needs. It is essential that Arthritis Ireland plays an important role in responding to these diverse needs and challenges. There is an urgent need for enhanced preventive measures, diagnostics and treatments for the arthritis community. We will rise to this challenge with ambition and focus, continuing our efforts and reshaping our services and supports when and where they are needed.
As an organisation, we understand the vital importance of bringing people on our journey. We undertook a comprehensive, consultative process with numerous stakeholders in the development of this new strategic plan for Arthritis Ireland. Our strategic vision for the next five years involves strengthening and expanding
our existing services and reaching an increased audience within our network. We will collaborate closely with our health partners, researchers and dedicated volunteer community to achieve these goals.
This strategic plan serves as a clear roadmap for the organisation, helping to prioritise efforts and allocate resources effectively, leading to decision-making that is backed by evidence and sound reasoning. Our plan revolves around six strategic priorities aimed at realising our vision: a better world for people living with arthritis today and a world without arthritis tomorrow.
Our commitment is unwavering, and our ambition remains steadfast. We will deliver the best that we can for the arthritis community, and we won’t stop until we achieve our goals.
We would like to recognise the enormous efforts of the arthritis community, our wonderful employees, volunteers, board directors, donors, clinicians and healthcare professionals for their commitment and generosity to the organisation. We look forward to achieving our strategic goals and objectives with you in the coming months and years.
Tim O’Sullivan Chair
Gráinne O’Leary Chief Executive
About Arthritis Ireland
Who we are
Arthritis Ireland is the national charity and ‘go to destination’ in Ireland for people living with arthritis, providing a range of support, information and education programmes. We seek to ensure that every person impacted by arthritis in Ireland is supported to live a full and active life, having access to appropriate health services and treatments. We strive to ensure an enhanced quality of life, minimising the devastating effects that arthritis can have on lives.
We listen to our community and advocate solutions to their needs through developing evidence-based policy proposals. We influence the research agenda and promote development of new diagnostics, treatments and supports.
Arthritis Ireland is governed by a board of directors that meet on a regular basis and has a number of subcommittees that progress the work outside of the board, fully engaging in a supportive role with the staff of Arthritis Ireland.
A better world for people living with arthritis today and a world without arthritis tomorrow.
What we do
At Arthritis Ireland we recognise the central role that empowering people to self-manage with a chronic condition, such as arthritis, plays in enabling them to live well with their disease.
One of our core services is our free national helpline (0818 252 846). An accredited member of the Helplines Partnership, our helpline is a confidential service available from Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. The helpline is operated by volunteers who have experience of living with arthritis themselves or caring for someone living with the condition.
Arthritis Ireland’s STEPS programme (Steps Towards Empowered People) is a personalised package of support to help people address issues and challenges on their journey with arthritis. Any person can join the programme either by self-referral or through a referral from a healthcare professional.
Arthritis Ireland delivers a range of self-management programmes which are offered both online and in-person.
Our 6-week Living Well with Arthritis and Related Conditions course, developed by Stanford University, is Arthritis Ireland’s flagship education programme and offers practical supports to people living with arthritis. Its aim is to equip people living with arthritis with a variety of tools and techniques to help self-manage their condition. This course has been proven to help people living with arthritis (and related conditions) to manage their pain and fatigue by developing a healthier lifestyle.
The Adapted Exercise Programme is a 6-week course delivered by a trained fitness instructor. The aim of the programme is to reduce pain and stiffness and maintain or improve mobility, muscle strength and functional ability.
Be Active with Arthritis is an exercise programme developed by Arthritis Ireland and the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. This is a one-hour class held over six weeks directed by a chartered physiotherapist.
Living Well with Pain is an online programme for people living with the pain associated with arthritis or related conditions. Its aim is to support people living with arthritis, helping them to develop the skills and confidence to manage their pain. Techniques taught in workshops include how to deal with the symptoms of pain, such as fatigue, sleeplessness, stress, and emotional challenges, with an emphasis on cognitive behavioural therapy techniques for managing pain.
Behind the Pain is a 6-week programme, led by an accredited psychotherapist that explores the emotional relationship and reactions to living with arthritis. Discussion topics include coping with an invisible illness, the grief cycle, dealing with fatigue and asking for help. In each session we provide a range of self-care tools and strategies for taking care of your mental well-being.
Arthritis Ireland produces an extensive suite of disease specific booklets as well as resources designed to help people learn more about their condition and how to manage it on a daily basis.
We undertake regular education campaigns to raise public awareness of arthritis and the signs, symptoms and treatments available. We also produce recorded interviews, podcasts and webinars with experts on arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
We continually advocate on behalf of people with lived experience of arthritis to deliver excellent services and respond to the needs of people with arthritis.
We support and influence research focused on better treatments, diagnoses and cures for those living with arthritis.
Our Vision
A better world for people living with arthritis today and a world without arthritis tomorrow.
Our Mission
We seek to ensure that every person living with arthritis in Ireland is supported to live a full and active life, having access to appropriate health services and treatments. We work to ensure an enhanced quality of life for people living with arthritis, minimising the devastating effects that arthritis can have on lives.
Our Values
First and foremost, we are person-centred. This approach puts people living with arthritis at the heart of everything we do. Arthritis doesn’t discriminate, so it’s important for us to understand the lived reality of every person affected by this debilitating disease.
We strive to be inclusive and ensure that the voice of those living with arthritis always takes priority.
We work in partnership with people living with arthritis, their families, employers, health professionals and other service providers to achieve the best possible outcomes and greatest impacts.
We understand the importance of trust and acting with the utmost integrity. We are responsible, accountable and operate to the highest governing standards.
We are innovative , forward thinking and dynamic. We are committed to finding smarter ways of doing things to improve quality of care, uphold integrity, ensure transparency and foster person-centred inclusive practices.
We are committed to transparency and are honest and clear about what we do, what we don’t do and why.
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Our Strategic Priorities
Service Delivery
We will provide relevant and meaningful services to people living with arthritis across the full journey of their disease.
Partnership
We will take collective action to address the needs of those living with arthritis.
Advocacy
We will advocate with and on behalf of people with lived experience of arthritis to influence policy makers to respond to the needs of people with arthritis.
Research
We will influence research activities for better treatments, diagnoses and cures.
Awareness
We will increase public knowledge of arthritis and Arthritis Ireland’s work.
Organisation Capacity
We will ensure our organisation is designed to implement our strategy through the right structures, processes, systems and governance.
1 Service Delivery
To achieve this, we will:
Maximise the reach and impact of our information, supports and services across Ireland:
• Review, update and act upon recommendations from our services review, as required.
• Deliver appropriate support programmes nationally.
• Utilise information and communications technology (ICT) to ensure we maximise reach and impact.
• Forge alliances and partnerships with other service providers.
• Evaluate our service provision in partnership with people living with arthritis and health professionals.
Be the go-to destination for information, services and supports:
• Maximise referrals from rheumatology clinics, primary health care settings and social prescribers and promote self-referral to our programmes, activities and services.
We will provide relevant and meaningful services to people living with arthritis across the full journey of their disease
Develop, coordinate and deliver community-based, accessible physical activity programmes and activities for people living with arthritis:
• Build on existing relationships and partnerships to ensure that affordable and accessible physical activity programmes are available in local communities.
• Recruit, support and develop a network of volunteers to support the delivery of activity programmes and/or refer to existing local activity programmes.
Partnership
To achieve this, we will:
Work in partnership with people living with arthritis and their families to provide the best possible services and represent their lived experience at a national level:
• Listen, respond to and develop appropriate services and supports for people living with arthritis.
• Engage in peer-to-peer learning and collaborations across the health sector.
We will take collective action to address the needs of those living with arthritis
Develop strong alliances, partnerships and networks within the health and community sectors to develop holistic services for people living with arthritis:
• Build and nurture national and international alliances that will progress our vision for change.
• Represent the views of people with arthritis with relevant stakeholders.
3 Advocacy
We will advocate with and on behalf of people with lived experience of arthritis to influence policy makers to respond to the needs of people with arthritis
To achieve this, we will:
Engage with policymakers and decision makers to advocate for improved services and supports for people living with arthritis:
• Collaborate with the National Clinical Programme for Rheumatology to identify shared goals and actively contribute to the delivery of the Model of Care for Rheumatology in Ireland.
Inform and contribute to evidence-based policy development and implementation that directly affects people living with arthritis:
• Consult with people with lived experience of arthritis and conduct public engagement.
• Engage and contribute to public consultations on issues that affect our community as and when appropriate opportunities arise.
• Partner with other stakeholders and agencies in the health sector to intensify our voice.
• Make submissions on behalf of people living with arthritis to influence policy and improve outcomes.
Research
To achieve this, we will:
Advance our research agenda to improve treatments and find a cure for arthritis:
• Consult with key stakeholders to develop a research strategy.
• Deliver upon that research strategy.
Increase awareness of the work of Arthritis Ireland in research projects:
• Communicate the research projects with which Arthritis Ireland collaborates to increase awareness of this work.
• Communicate the research funded and supported by Arthritis Ireland to build recognition of this work.
We will influence research activities for better treatments, diagnoses and cures
5 Awareness
We will increase public knowledge of arthritis and Arthritis Ireland’s work
To achieve this, we will:
Raise public awareness and understanding of arthritis:
• Provide expert information on the signs, symptoms, treatments and management of arthritis.
• Undertake health promotion campaigns to increase public awareness and understanding of arthritis.
Enhance the organisation’s visibility and promote the services Arthritis Ireland offer:
• Direct tailored communications to healthcare professionals, local communities, the general public and employers.
• Engage with the media to increase understanding of arthritis and of the organisation’s work.
Organisation
To achieve this, we will:
Build a dynamic organisation structure which is consistently reviewed to deliver our strategic goals:
• Invest in our organisation structure.
• Invest in a motivated, strong, committed staff team and network of volunteers.
• Develop a robust, diverse board and subcommittee framework.
We will ensure our organisation is designed to implement our strategy through the right structures, processes, systems and governance
Meet good governance, quality assurance and regulatory obligations:
• Ensure continued compliance with the Charities Regulator Governance Code and all of the applicable regulations and laws.
• Introduce processes and systems to support governance, quality assurance and regulatory obligations.
Develop diversified sustainable funding to support service delivery, advocacy and research capacity:
• Secure additional statutory funding for service delivery.
• Explore and secure new and existing statutory and non-statutory funding streams.
• Develop and implement our fundraising strategy.
Anyone looking for support can contact the Arthritis Ireland helpline on 0818 252 846 For more information visit arthritisireland.ie RCN: 20011123; CHY: 6297; CRO: 78931